San Bernardino Mountains, CA, July 26, 2014 - Although Big Bear and the surrounding San Bernardino mountain communities are best known for recreation, outdoor locations for Hollywood productions, and the gold rush of the late 1800s, it was logging that was the big industry in the early 1900s. Logging in the San Bernardino Mountains was once done on a very large scale. The … [Read more...] about Logging in the Mountains
San Bernardino National Forest
The Evolution of a Forest
San Bernardino Mountains, CA, July 5, 2014 - Long before recorded history, this area was home to Native Americans--in fact, 616 prehistoric archaeological sites remain--and then to Mexicans and Europeans in the early 1800s. Mexico ceded California to the United States in 1848, just a few years before the discovery of gold in the San Bernardino mountains kicked off decades of … [Read more...] about The Evolution of a Forest
Critters vs. Litter
Big Bear Lake, CA, July 2, 2014 - With year round recreation, the San Bernardino National Forest is one of the busiest in the country. But with more visitors comes extra litter, and the Forest Service is asking for public cooperation in keeping the area garbage-free. Some environmental effects are obvious. Plastics take decades to disintegrate and aluminum cans last in the … [Read more...] about Critters vs. Litter
Mistletoe: Parasite & Provider
San Bernardino Mountains, CA, June 7, 2014 - According to an old Scandinavian Christmas custom, a couple who meets under hanging mistletoe is obliged to kiss. But mistletoe's function in the forest is actually less romantic: as a parasite, it attaches to the branches of a host tree or shrub, and absorbs water and nutrients from the host plant. There are six different species … [Read more...] about Mistletoe: Parasite & Provider
Fire Danger, More Typical of Late Summer
Big Bear, CA, June 6, 2014 - Since November 1, 2013, many areas in California have received less than half their normal precipitation, resulting in very dry brush. As of Memorial Day weekend, there have been more than 1,700 wildfires in California since the start of the year, which have burned more than 15,000 acres. Compared to the five year average, that is nearly double the … [Read more...] about Fire Danger, More Typical of Late Summer